Martial Universe: Season 1 Episode 14 Recap
> Martial Universe: Season 1 Recap
Ying Huanhuan, still irritated from their previous encounter, walked away muttering to herself, calling Lin Dong an "idiot" and "stupid Lin Dong" for not knowing right from wrong, even comparing him to a "dog" and claiming he looked like a "bum" no matter what he wore. Lin Dong chased after her. She put the clothes she had brought onto him, telling him to stand straight and that even if he was a bum, he could not be naked.
Before they parted, Lin Dong promised to visit her in Dao Sect, and she invited him to Qiwu Tower, making him promise not to leave unless she told him to. Suddenly, a powerful "evil wind" blew, signaling the arrival of the Yi-Demon Heavenly King. Lin Langtian and Ling Qingzhu arrived swiftly to confront the Yi-Demon.
During the intense battle, Ying Huanhuan and Ling Qingzhu exchanged heated words, with Ying Huanhuan calling Ling Qingzhu a "wild girl" and accusing her of following Lin Dong wherever he went. Despite the combined efforts of the four, they were outmatched by the Yi-Demon Heavenly King. Lin Langtian bravely shielded Lin Dong from an attack, sustaining severe injuries. The Yi-Demon then seized the opportunity to escape.
As Lin Dong expressed concern for Lin Langtian's injuries, Ling Qingzhu, frustrated, urged him to pursue the fleeing Yi-Demon. She then informed Ying Huanhuan that she encountered Wu Dao, who told her that all the Dao Sect disciples have gone missing. Ying Huanhuan expressed shock at this news. Ying Huanhuan immediately set off to find the missing Dao Sect disciples.
Meanwhile, Mu Qianqian, observing from a distance, muttered to herself about having promised to assist Lin Langtian and expressed her hope that he would "use that talisman wisely." It was at this time that the talismans within Lin Langtian and Xuan Su seemed to have taken effect. Ying Huanhuan located four Dao Sect disciples, but they appeared unresponsive, "standing there like idiots. . . like dead people." As they struggled, Lin Dong used his sleeve arrows to help subdue them.
After bringing the four controlled disciples to Qiwu Tower, Master Yan inspected them, realizing they had been implanted with "talisman seals," turning them into "living puppets." Lin Dong initially suspected the Yin Puppet Sect and mentioned beating up Teng Lei, but Master Yan clarified that this specific method of making talismans was characteristic of the Talisman Guild itself.
This raised the alarming possibility of a "spy" within the Guild or that "an outsider is behind this," employing a cunning tactic of "truth mixed with falsehood" to sow confusion. Lin Dong suggested that Master Yan examine the spiritual domains of the disciples to uncover the truth. Master Yan agreed, instructing Lin Dong to cast the spell, Ling Qingzhu to guard, Ying Huanhuan to settle her disciples, and Xuan Su to gather all other Talisman Guild disciples for individual searches.
Just as Master Yan was investigating and discovered Xuan Su's involvement, Xuan Su approached Lin Dong, claiming to have located the source of the talisman seals but expressing hesitation to alarm the unknown enemy. Lin Dong, eager to investigate, offered to go with her, and Lin Langtian also insisted on accompanying them. They left without informing Master Yan.
As Xuan Su led Lin Dong into a forest, Master Yan, having already uncovered her betrayal and overheard her secretly declaring Lin Dong unworthy to lead the Talisman Guild, soon followed. In the forest, Xuan Su confronted Lin Dong, asserting he was "not worthy to be the ancestral talisman successor" and demanding he "give the talisman back." She attempted to kill him, but Lin Langtian, despite his injuries, intervened and incapacitated Xuan Su.
Master Yan arrived and removed the controlling talisman from Xuan Su's body, freeing her. Regaining her senses, Xuan Su revealed that not only the Dao Sect disciples but "all the other disciples of the Talisman Guild" had also had talisman seals implanted within them, which would eventually cause them to "go crazy." Lin Dong expressed relief that he was not affected.
Back at Qiwu Tower, Ling Qingzhu was under attack, surrounded by the Talisman Guild disciples who were now controlled living puppets. Xiao Yan was doing his best to help. Master Yan, Lin Dong, and the others rushed back to find the situation dire, with Lin Dong wanting to rush in, but Master Yan stopped him, warning it would be suicide.
Lin Langtian intervened, utilizing Qingtan's unique cold energy to temporarily put all the controlled Talisman Guild disciples into a state of suspended animation. Lin Dong expressed his concern for the sleeping disciples, and Ling Qingzhu chided him for getting involved in this trouble. While some suggested retreating to Dao Sect for help, Xuan Su was then questioned for a solution.
She revealed that the "Heart of Nirvana," located in an "ancient tomb outside the city," was the only means to "quickly destroy the talisman seal" and save them before they "lose their mind." At an inn, Ying Huanhuan anxiously watched over her Dao Sect disciples. Old Fourteenth suggested that if she wanted to save them, she should follow the Talisman Guild, as they were also trying to save their own, implying a solution would be found.
Meanwhile, Master Yan led Lin Dong and others to the ancient tomb outside the city. He explained that the tomb belonged to a Great Master who achieved "Nirvana Rank" or higher and whose lifetime of energy coalesced into the "Heart of Nirvana" within. This power offered the Talisman Guild disciples "a fighting chance." Lin Dong noticed that the tomb was sealed by an enchantment.
Master Yan warned that not only was the enchantment difficult to open, but the tomb itself was "very dangerous," rumored to contain "monsters and ghosts," and no one who entered had "come out alive" in a hundred years.
Qingtan tried to dissuade Lin Dong from going in, but Lin Dong, spurred by Xuan Su's plea and his duty as Guild President, declared that he was not afraid of "any monsters or demons" if they could just open the enchantment, resolute in his commitment to save his members. Master Yan explained that the enchantment surrounding the ancient tomb could not be broken but "can only go through it."
There were five cracks that opened simultaneously for only a brief moment, allowing five individuals to enter. He would use his Yuan energy to control the cracks. Qingtan volunteered to go, but Master Yan forbade her, revealing that Xuan Su was affected by a "rare Twinned Talisman Spell": the "Hatred Termination Talisman" (triggered by her lack of respect for Lin Dong) and the "Love Attraction Talisman."
He feared the Love Talisman was on someone who "cares about Lin Dong the most," and if activated through protection, both that person and Lin Dong would be controlled. Ying Huanhuan then volunteered, claiming she needed to save her Dao Sect disciples, not that she cared for Lin Dong. Lin Langtian also offered to help.
Observing from a distance, Mu Qianqian commented on Lin Dong's unexpected resilience, while Teng Lei asked her who held the Love Talisman, but she dismissed him, stating that no matter who had it, they would inevitably bring Lin Dong to her. Before the five entered, Master Yan imbued Lin Dong with his Yuan Pellet, elevating Lin Dong from the Earthly Yuan Rank to at least the Heavenly Yuan Rank, jokingly telling him it was so he "won't die inside."
After a final warning about the dangers, Master Yan sent Lin Dong, Ling Qingzhu, Lin Langtian, Ying Huanhuan, and Xiao Yan into the ancient tomb. Inside the first level of the tomb, the group was instructed to calmly observe and locate the entrance to the second level, avoiding hasty actions. They discovered the walls were riddled with numerous entrances, making it difficult to choose.
Lin Dong suggested they split up "for safety precautions," deciding that Ling Qingzhu, as the Talisman Envoy, would accompany him. Ying Huanhuan expressed her dislike for going through the same entrance as Lin Dong. As Lin Dong and Ling Qingzhu chose an entrance and entered, Lin Dong let out a shout, prompting Lin Langtian to follow. However, Ying Huanhuan stopped Xiao Yan, telling him, "We can't all go in. What if something goes wrong?
Stay here in case there is sabotage." The group found themselves in a vast, dark area on the first level, filled with menacing "monsters and ghosts," and quickly got separated due to the labyrinthine layout. Xiao Diao, Lin Dong's companion, began to ravenously devour these spectral creatures, inadvertently saving Lin Langtian during its feeding frenzy. Meanwhile, Ying Huanhuan managed to find Ling Qingzhu.
Ling Qingzhu commented on Lin Dong's unexpected ability to handle himself and his new position as Talisman Guild President, suggesting it was "convenient" for Ying Huanhuan to follow him. Ying Huanhuan heatedly denied any romantic interest, clarifying she was only concerned for her Dao Sect disciples. However, Ling Qingzhu pressed her, sensing deeper feelings and asking if her protective stance would "develop into romantic feelings." Ying Huanhuan vehemently denied this.
Eventually, Lin Langtian also encountered Lin Dong and helped him, joking about protecting him, to which Lin Dong scoffed about debts. The entire group eventually reunited and proceeded to the second level. On the second level, the group found themselves surrounded by numerous coffins. Xiao Diao advised Lin Dong to use the Devour Talisman to pinpoint the "Heart of Nirvana." Lin Dong activated the Ancestral Talisman, which led them to a central room.
As they entered, the room suddenly erupted with fire, knocking them down. Lin Dong quickly discerned that the "sea of fire was an illusion" and that the passage itself was a trap designed to lead them into a "bewitching spell," while walking through the apparent "sea of fire" would lead them "back from death's door." He bravely crossed the fiery threshold, revealing the skeletal remains of the Nirvana old man.
Ying Huanhuan, upon entering, complained about the lack of items and questioned the old man's "sneaky manner" in protecting an empty room, suggesting he created these tricks out of boredom. She then experienced a sudden headache. Lin Dong knelt and respectfully kowtowed to the deceased master. In response, the stone slab beneath the old man's remains slid open, revealing a hidden compartment containing two spiritual treasures.
Xiao Diao remarked that Lin Dong's bow had made him the Nirvana old man's disciple. As Lin Dong reached out to claim the treasures, he, Ling Qingzhu, and Xiao Diao were suddenly plunged downwards, leaving Ying Huanhuan and Lin Langtian alone in the room.
